Former soccer player turned referee is making her mark in the traditionally men only territory.
Dineo Precious Raolane (32) from Lenyenye Township is in demand to officiate the big games in the Mopani region, the province and sometimes nationally.
She started playing soccer while at primary school until the age of 24.
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“After graduating from TVET College I decided to hang up my boots and start utilizing my skills as a referee. From officiating primary school games, I moved to high schools and then to local football league games under the Greater Tzaneen Local Football Association, “said Raolane.
After a season at the local league she was promoted to the SAB League and later to the ABC Motsepe League (formerly known as the Vodacom league).
“I get opportunities to officiate in big regional, provincial and national games throughout the country. My goal is to officiate on the African continent and ultimately internationally,” she said.
Amongst the many big games she officiated include, the regional playoffs between Shivulani Dangerous Tigers and Youth with Vision at Shikukwane Stadium, an SAB Stream B league winners deciding game between Mariveni United versus Makoti Happy Fighters at Nkowankowa Stadium and a Nedbank Cup game between Mariveni United and Tshakhuma Tsa Madzivhandila at Nkowankowa Stadium.
Raolane’s first national assignment was the finals of Absa Under-19 final game between Gauteng and Eastern Cape in KZN in 2011.
She won the referee of the tournament award during the Sasol Women Soccer League National Championships in the Eastern Cape where she officiated a game between Cape Town Roses and Palace Super Falcons.
Dineo was entrusted with officiating in SAB League play-offs throughout the province and also the national SAB Under-21 games.
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“I was also given the opportunity to be the referee in the national school league games.”
She studied business management at college and she is currently on a sports administration learnership.
She possesses the South African Football Association (SAFA) Level 5 refereeing certificate.
